About the Team

Matt Pierlott Headshot

Matt Pierlott

  • Associate Professor of Philosophy
  • Philosophy
  • BAnderson Hall, Room 224
  • Email Matt Pierlott
  • Phone: 610-436-2429

I came to West Chester University in 2005. In 2010 I was invited to teach a course in the HON Seminar Program, "Ideas of Freedom," and later another course on “The Concept of God.” I had already become familiar with the vibrant community of students through colleagues, like Dr. Ruth Porritt, but this was my first experience in the classroom with some of them. I truly enjoyed the engaging discussions from thoughtful individuals across varied majors. Even more, I was impressed with the positive, supportive and constructive interactions among the students.

In 2012, I joined the Honors Council and teamed up with Dr. Tischio in offering the HON 490: Capstone courses. It is such a privilege to work with the students one-on-one and in our group working sessions to realize their visions. So many students have shared with me their passions and their developed ideas to serve their community. It continues to be a tremendously rewarding experience.

As an undergrad at the University of Scranton, I also took part in a program in which a small cohort of varied majors took one or two classes together each semester. That experience was so important to me, and I am thrilled that our program has a similar model. But what is truly rare about our Honors College is the focus on leadership and service, and the carefully designed curriculum that provides the skills and opportunities to get out of the class and make a difference.

Zachary Wooten Headshot

Zachary Wooten, Ph.D.

Teaching in the Honors College at WCU is one of the greatest joys of my life. I am thankful to learn from both my colleagues and students, and I am glad to belong to a community committed to leadership, service, scholarship, and civic engagement. My teaching, research, and other scholarly inquiry focuses on interfaith leadership, ethics and moral decision-making, grief and crisis leadership, self-awareness and development, visions of human flourishing, and leadership theory. I love helping students develop confidence and cheering them on as they work to strengthen their communities.

I also teach religious studies courses for the Department of Philosophy and serve as the Director for WCU's Interfaith, Meaning-Making, and Spirituality Project[BROKEN LINK]. I am currently leading three grant-funded research projects exploring: 1) religious leadership on TikTok; 2) interfaith leadership amongst hospital chaplains during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 3) the grief experiences of undergraduate students considering the climate crisis. I serve on WCU's Undergraduate Research Council, the Council for Diversity, Inclusion and Academic Excellence, and the project planning team for Yale's Center for Faith and Culture related to expanding the "Life Worth Living" network.

Carly Lare Headshot

Carly Lare, M.B.A. candidate

I am excited to pursue my Master of Business Administration and contribute to the Honors College as a Graduate Assistant, focused on supporting alumni relations and the Good Life.

Before my Graduate Assistantship, I graduated from the West Chester Honors College in 2022 with a degree in Ecology and Conservation Biology, along with minors in Communications Studies and Civic and Professional Leadership. During my time in the Honors College, I served as the Coordinator of Aid to South Africa, now known as PEACE.

Outside of West Chester, I focus my energy into my role as Executive Director of CRC Watersheds Association, a nonprofit based in Newtown Square and dedicated to the preservation of the Chester, Ridley, and Crum Creek Watersheds. At CRC, I engage stakeholders, fundraise, and manage tree planting and stream cleanup restoration projects.